Agenda and draft minutes

None.

Watch part one of the meeting here

The Chair of Council, County Councillor Peter Strong opened the meeting and took the opportunity to thank Council for the opportunity of representing the Council.

Group Leaders took the opportunity to address Council expressing thanks to County Councillor Strong for his year in office as Chair.

It was proposed by County Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, and seconded by County Councillor Paul Griffiths, that County Councillor Tudor Thomas be elected as Chair of Monmouthshire County Council for the Civic Year 2026/27. There were no further nominations.

Upon being put to a vote it was agreed to elect County Councillor Tudor Thomas as Chair. County Councillor Thomas made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked Members for their support. He thanked Council for the opportunity and introduced Mrs Jan Thomas as his consort for the year in office.

The Chair welcomed nominations for Vice-Chair of Council.

It was proposed by County Councillor Frances Taylor and seconded by County Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby that County Councillor David Jones be appointed as Vice Chair of the County Council for the Civic Year 2026/27.

Upon being put to a vote it was resolved that County Councillor David Jones be appointed as Vice Chair. County Councillor Jones made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. He thanked Council for their support and introduced Mrs Shirley Jones as his consort for the year.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th March 2026 were approved as an accurate record.

https://www.youtube.com/live/cDbp-4wxxTQ?si=rokXSoO3tFA0byJW&t=147

County Councillor Ben Callard nominated County Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby as Leader of the Council for the year 2026/27. This was seconded by County Councillor Angela Sandles.

County Councillor Lisa Dymock nominated County Councillor Richard John as Leader of the Council for the year 2026/27. This was seconded by County Councillor Alistair Neill.

Upon being put to a recorded vote County Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby was appointed Leader.

Cabinet Appointments were announced as:

· County Councillor Paul Griffiths - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Sustainable Livelihoods.

· County Councillor Ben Callard – Cabinet Member for Resources.

· Councillor Laura Wright – Cabinet Member for Education.

· County Councillor Ian Chandler – Cabinet Member for Social Care, Safeguarding and Accessible Health Services.

· County Councillor Catrin Maby – Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment.

· County Councillor Angela Sandles – Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement.

· County Councillor Sara Burch - Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism

https://www.youtube.com/live/cDbp-4wxxTQ?si=T4cwpjEDHCdCPXNL&t=1128

The Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement presented the report Council to receive and approve the Local Resolution Protocol (“the LRP”) attached at Appendix 1, and for it to be incorporated into the Council’s Constitution.

Council resolved to accept the recommendations:

To approve the LRP attached at Appendix 1;

To instruct the Monitoring Officer to update the constitution to incorporate this new LRP.

https://www.youtube.com/live/cDbp-4wxxTQ?si=JPVE6DZM0TQB8QP0&t=1380

The Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement presented the report in order for Council to review the representation of different political groups on the bodies to which the Council makes appointments.

Council resolved to accept the recommendation:

That the Council approves the report as a review under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and to allocate ordinary committees with the numbers as indicated below representing political balance.

Click here to watch the meeting

The Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement presented the report to appoint committees, together with their membership and terms of reference in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Upon being put to a vote Council resolved to accept the recommendation:

That the committees be appointed as set out in the report.

That Council appoints County Councillor Frances Taylor as Chair of Democratic Services Committee.

https://www.youtube.com/live/cDbp-4wxxTQ?si=aWwl9AzWf1Uq3H8k&t=1742

The Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement presented the report for Council to appoint representatives to serve on outside bodies.

Council resolved to accept the recommendation:

That Council notes the appointments made at its 2025 AGM for the term of Council and confirms or amends the appointments that require annual renewal as well as confirming appointments to new positions.

If appointments are not able to made at the meeting itself then political group leaders should communicate their appointments to the Head of Democratic Services as soon as possible following the meeting.

Noted.